Cp220virus

VIRION

Non-enveloped, head-tail structure. The icosahedral head is about 93 nm in diameter. Has a neck without a collar, and a small base plate. The tail of about 140 nm in width and 20 nm in length is contractile. Fibers about 38 nm in length are attached on the tail.

GENOME

Linear, dsDNA genome of about 197 kb, encoding for about 257 proteins.

GENE EXPRESSION

Genes are transcribed by operons.

REPLICATION

CYTOPLASMIC

Adsorption: the phage attaches to the target cell through its tail fibers.

Ejection of the viral DNA into host cell cytoplasm by contraction of the tail sheath.

Transcription and translation of early genes.

Replication of the viral genome. Transcription and translation of late genes.